Overview

The US-ASEAN Business Council is the premier advocacy organization for U.S. corporations operating within the dynamic Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), serving as the leading voice of the U.S. private sector in promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships between the United States and Southeast Asia. The Council is the only U.S.-based organization recognized in the ASEAN charter as a supporting organization of ASEAN. The Council's members include more than 180 of the most successful and innovative corporations in the world, including Apple, Boeing, Citi, The Coca-Cola Company, Google, Harley Davidson and Microsoft. Combined, these 180+ companies generate over $6 trillion in revenue and employ more than 13 million people worldwide.

Cradled between China, India, and Australia, ASEAN is the third largest economy in the Indo-Pacific and the fifth largest in the world with a GDP of $2.8 trillion and a population of 650 million. As a critical hub for global trade, more than $3.4 trillion in global trade transits through ASEAN each year. In 2019, ASEAN became the 4th largest goods export market for the U.S. after Canada, Mexico, and China, reaching over $105 billion in exports in goods and services. It has also attracted more U.S. investment than any other destination in the whole of Indo-Pacific, receiving almost $329 billion in investment, more than the United States has directed to China, India, Japan and South Korea combined.

Internship Duties and Learning Outcomes

The Council is currently accepting applications for our ASEAN (SME Initiatives and Financial Services) Internship, to support its thought leadership program. Interns will take on substantive, administrative, and logistical roles to support impactful activities, including capacity-building workshops, policy and advocacy dialogues, and other profile-raising activities. As a leading organization in ASEAN SME empowerment, the Council continuously innovates to create meaningful programs that drive SME success across the region.

This internship provides invaluable professional development, allowing interns to work with dedicated experts in Southeast Asian business, foreign policy, and international affairs. This paid internship is full-time, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a commitment of 40 hours per week.

Policy and Research Internship Duties:

• Support the Preparation, Organization, and Execution of ASEAN (SME and Financial Services) Capacity-Building Activities
  • Assist in the development of program content and materials.
  • Coordinate administrative and logistical aspects of events and activities.
  • Contribute to the design of promotional materials and support marketing efforts for programs and events.
• Assist in Newsletter Creation and Updates
  • Conduct research on the latest developments in the SME and Fintech landscape across ASEAN.
  • Collect and organize relevant news clippings.
  • Draft content for the newsletter.
  • Track and document press coverage of related activities.
  • Regularly update the USABC website with related news and activities.
• Support the Development of New Programming
  • Assist in developing new initiatives within the SME Program and Financial Services portfolio.
  • Participate in brainstorming and planning sessions to enhance program offerings.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Meeting Coordination
  • Take detailed notes and create summaries or key point documents from meetings with stakeholders, including Council members, government representatives, and industry associations.
  • Arrange and manage schedules for meetings with stakeholders.
  • Maintain up-to-date member contact lists, send invitations, and facilitate member communications.
• Collaboration and Project Management
  • Work closely with Council staff across Southeast Asia and Washington, DC, to ensure timely completion of projects and daily tasks.
  • Escalate issues or updates to the supervisor as necessary.

Internship Stipend

Interns will be paid a modest monthly stipend.

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in International Relations, Communications, Social Sciences, Political Science, Business Administration/Management, Economic Development, Development Studies, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an advantage.
• 1-2 years of relevant experience in government affairs, project management, business development, or multinational management.
• Demonstrated strong research skills with the ability to quickly learn and synthesize information effectively.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the capacity to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Fluent in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Indonesia
• Willingness to occasionally work beyond standard business hours to coordinate with colleagues in the United States, participate in global staff calls, and engage with Council members based in both the U.S. and Southeast Asia.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous exposure to American companies or educational experience in the United States is preferred.
• Experience, ideally in government, government relations, project management, or business development through studies, internships, or work experience. Familiarity with ASEAN government frameworks is a plus.
• Familiarity with design software and tools is a plus.

Application Procedures, Deadlines and Internship Periods

To apply to the Council’s internship program, please submit a resume, two brief writing samples (no more than two pages each), and a cover letter. The cover letter should include information about your availability, interest in this position, and a brief description of your academic and professional goals.

The writing sample must cover one of two topics:

• Emerging Technologies and SMEs in ASEAN
• Fintech Development in ASEAN and the Role of SMEs

Start Date: Flexible, with an ideal availability starting from January 2025 and potential extension through 2025.

Deadline: 24 January 2025

Any questions should be addressed to sme@usasean.org.